Interview with James Davis
Jaga nv
Red Dot: What sparked the development of Nagare?
The idea came from a simple question: Why are all modular retaining walls straight? Rigid elements often tend to be at odds with their surroundings, especially when situated in undulating landscapes. We teamed up with Cobefa to investigate how we could add fluidity to landscape architecture with prefabricated concrete. This was the beginning of Nagare – a system that challenges conventions and at the same time offers freedom of design.
What are the advantages of prefabricated modules?
Nagare unites the precision and speed of prefabrication with a natural and fluid design language. Conventional retaining walls often require complex adjustments at the installation location to follow the contours of the landscape. Our modular system, on the other hand, is designed for seamless curves and height transitions. This shortens the installation time and reduces errors for a beautifully clean result.
What inspired you to create the gentle wave form?
The inspiration came from Japanese rice terraces. These stepped landscapes incorporate small, curved walls to guide the water and create a rhythm in the landscape. We implemented this same principle in the concrete modules. Each Nagare element is one quarter of a gentle wave.
What is so special about concrete in general?
Concrete is a material that has a reputation for being heavy and static, but when used correctly, it can be incredibly versatile. It is possible to shape, colour and structure it, and it lasts for decades. I am most excited about how we can change the perception of concrete from being a structural necessity to a medium for expression, elegance and integration.
